Chakwera Pardons Uladi Mussa

BY: DRAXON MALOYA

State president, Lazarus Chakwera has pardoned former Homeland Security minister, Uladi Mussa who was serving his prison sentence at Maula in Lilongwe.

Chakwera has also released John Mussa who was also serving a prison sentence for being found in possession of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp/chamba).

Homeland Security minister, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma says the Mussas have been released as part of this year’s Easter festival which has seen 200 convicts unconditionally released.

“200 prisoners have been released and among them is the former Homeland Security minister, Uladi Mussa and John Mussa who was jailed for being found in possession of cannabis,” Zikhale said.

Zikhale further said the pardon list has also included Jones Tewesa a driver to former commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Linda Kunje who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for obstructing the presidential convoy and a teenager Mussa John who was serving a 3 year revised prison sentence for being found in possession of chamba.

The Homeland Security minister also said the other prisoners to be released are those who were charged with minor offences and have demonstrated good behavioral reforms.

Commenting on the releases, Executive Director for, the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Michael Kaiyatsa expressed reservation with the release of those convicted for committing corruption cases.

“A released from prison is quite a very good thing, but those released after committing corruption cases is something else,” Kaiyatsa said.

Chapter 89 (2) of the Constitution gives the president power to pardon convicted offenders, grant stays of execution of sentence, reduce sentences, or remit sentences.

It requires that this should be done in consultation with an Advisory Committee on the Granting of Pardon, the composition and formation of which is determined by an Act of Parliament.

Last year, Chakwera alao pardoned 106 prisoners during the same period.

Chakwera has so far pardoned over 1900 prisoners since he became president of the country in 2020.